Location: HomeMediaNews roomCleaner greener taxi fleet for London

Cleaner, greener taxi fleet for London

Source: Greater London Authority, Mayors Office, Press Release 4637 20-12-2004

London's air will become cleaner under radical new regulations for London's black cabs announced by the Mayor of London today (Monday 20 December 2004).

London's 20,000 black taxis have to meet strict emissions standards by 2007, under the Mayor's Taxi Emissions Strategy.

Taxis are responsible for 24 per cent of fine particle and 12 per cent of nitrogen oxide of road transport emissions in central London. These pollutants can cause heart and lung diseases and can trigger respiratory problems among the vulnerable, including the growing number of Londoners who suffer from asthma. In central London these pollutants are present at levels that damage the health of many Londoners.

The cost of converting black cabs to reach the new standards will be met by a flat rate fare of 20 pence per journey from April 2005, over and above the usual cost of living rise. This fare rise will be reviewed after three years.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: 'London has the worst air quality in the UK and air pollution is estimated to cause 1,600 premature deaths every year in London. For just 20p a journey we will see major health benefits for all Londoners. Taxi drivers are exposed to more pollution because they spend long hours on the road each day and tend to operate in the most polluted areas, such as central London and Heathrow, and the cab trade will also therefore be a major beneficiary of this policy.

This is one of a number of measures I am putting in place to improve air quality in London. The central London congestion charge is already having an impact, with emissions in the zone cut by 12 per cent. I am also committed to making London a Low Emission Zone, which will see the removal of the most polluting lorries, buses and coaches from the streets.'

Ed Thompson, TfL Taxi and Private Hire Director, said: 'London already has the best taxi service in the world, and before long it'll have the cleanest.'

The Mayor's Taxi Emissions Strategy is part of the Mayor's plan to make London a Low Emission Zone, which will come into force by 2007 and is one of the Mayor's manifesto commitments.

There are a number of options available to taxi owners and operators whose vehicles do not meet the Euro 3 emission standards to comply. Many drivers will choose to bring forward the date at which they planned to invest in a new, cleaner cab. Abatement technology, such as a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) with particulate filter, can be fitted to their existing vehicle. Another option would be to convert the vehicle to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Converting a vehicle to run on liquefied petroleum gas would see a reduction of 70-85 per cent in NOx and PM 10 and runs much more quietly than a diesel fuelled taxi. It has lower fuel costs than diesel and qualifies the vehicle for a lower level of Vehicle Excise Duty.

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